UCR Extension Instructor since: 2002

Achievements/awards: UCR Riverside 10-Year Service Award; M.S. in TESOL; B.A. in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude; Marketing Certificate; Human Resources Certificate; Honor Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Security Police Academy.

Noted for: Trying to be as prepared as possible.

How did you get interested in your field? The military gave me an opportunity to live and work abroad and I wanted more.

Who influenced you the most? I have probably "borrowed" a little from a lot of different people and am grateful for all of the contributions.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My high school trigonometry teacher, Mr. Tetrault. He had a no-nonsense approach, but genuinely cared about our success.

What are you currently reading?Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States by Bill Bryson

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Walking through the student lounge and hearing all of the different languages -- but don't tell them I said that.

What do your students say? "He looks so serious." However, I really enjoy my time in the classroom and hope I have the opportunity to do this for many more years.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 1995

Also teaches at: California Criminilistics Institute (Sacremento), various law enforcement agencies and professional organizations(California Association of Criminalists, California District Attorney Association)

Achievements/awards: Frank Bland Metal for Meritorious Service, Employee of the Year 1995/San Bernardino's Sheriff's Department.

Noted for: Crime Lab Director for the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation, Crime Lab Manager Chula Vista Police Department.

How did you get interested in your field? My professor and boss, the late Anthony Longhetti, told me to choose a specific field in forensics and be the best at it, and I would not have to worry about having a job. I chose Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation and he was right.

Who influenced you the most? Anthony Longhetti was my Criminalistics Professor at Cal State LA, then hired me and supported all my efforts.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Anthony Longhetti

What are you currently reading? Nothing technical right now, but I enjoy reading sporting articles

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? The staff who arranges things before I arrive and makes my job so easy.

What do your students say? They enjoy the hands-on approach and put what they learn to use by analyzing two to three crime scenes. By the end of the class, they are amazed at how much you can tell by looking at bloodstain patterns.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2007

Also teaches at: San Bernardino Valley College and Loma Linda University

Achievements/awards: ESRI Special Acheivement Award (City of Rancho Cucamonga GIS Division); Employee of the Year 2011, City of Rancho Cucamonga.

Noted for: Always doing GIS!

How did you get interested in your field? My uncle works for the ESRI distributor for West Africa, and my passion is to help local governments use technology to better serve their residents.

Who influenced you the most? Mr. Solomon Asiedu-Ofei.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Mr. John Ayer of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana

What are you currently reading? Spatial Statistics

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? The cooperation between the UCR Extension staff and instructors.

What do your students say? "Wonderful teaching technique! Mr. Nimako is very smart and he makes sure we leave with essential skill sets in GIS."

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2008

Also teaches at: Banning Unified School District.

Achievements/awards: 2001: Teacher of the Year for Beaumont Unified School District and 2010: Educator B.E. S. T. AWARD (Bilingual Educators Succeeding Together).

Noted for: Working above and beyond with English Language Learners.

How did you get interested in your field? Helping Others is engrained in me; the teaching field is the venue that I chose to help others. Through teaching, I have been able to reach, support, help and touch the lives of people of many ages, cultures, and socio-economic levels.

Who influenced you the most? Passionate educators, mostly my third grade teacher.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My first grade teacher, for her wisdom in dealing with an English learner (1963); my third grade teacher was my role model - she was a Native American who thought I was Mexican; and a very strict high school teacher, who had high expectations for her Business Education students.

What are you currently reading? Rigor is not a Four-Letter Word by Barbara R. Blackburn

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Serving students, to be able to be part of their educational lives and careers. I also enjoy the dedicated, professional staff.

What do your students say?  They are quite vocal about the usefulness of the content in my courses, and express gratitude for the helpfulness that I offer.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 1991

Also teaches at: Loma Linda University, School of Public Health; California Air Pollution Controls Officers Association (CAPCO).

Achievements/awards: Current Chair - West Coast Section of the Air & Waste Management Association; Loma Linda University, Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health; CAMEO Certified Instructor; Past President - Southern California Chapter for the Society for Risk Analysis; Contributed a chapter on Communications with Regulator for Handbook for Critical Cleaning.

Noted for: Permit Streamlining Efforts at SCAQMD and working with industry/consultants for pragmatic solutions to air quality rules and regulation and permit requirements.

How did you get interested in your field? While on the job.

Who influenced you the most? My father, who was also a teacher and principal of a school.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My science teacher in high school, Kulwant Singh.

What are you currently reading? The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver, and A History of the World in Twelve Maps by Jerry Brotton.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Interacting with the students and teaching keeps me current on the rules, regulations and policies on air quality regulations.

What do your students say?  They appreciate the 'real cases' and issues that they are also facing in their jobs being addressed.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2006

Also teaches at: Southwest Vocational College, La Sierra University and California State University, Long Beach

Achievements/awards: Numerous commendations for obtaining evidence that helped convict suspects of notable and high-profile crimes.

Noted for: A mix of lecture and hands-on practical application of forensic techniques, creating a welcoming classroom environment, being approachable and patient.

How did you get interested in your field? I grew up in a rough neighborhood, so I wanted to make a difference and make the world better by catching criminals.

Who influenced you the most? My father and mother - two loving, caring and hard working people.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My high school chemistry teacher made me see that learning can be fun.

What are you currently reading?Any and all Forensic periodicals.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? UCR Extension's employees are great people.

What do your students say?  That I make the class and the more challenging topics interesting and exciting by using my sense of humor and actual crime scene stories.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2007

Also teaches at: An Advanced Certified Facilitator for University of Phoenix Online Classes.

Achievements/awards: M.A., Organizational Management and Planning and Public Administration; Certificate in Labor Relations.

Noted for: On a personal note, an infamous family tree that includes being distantly related to President John F. Kennedy and to President Lyndon B. Johnson.

How did you get interested in your field? Successful careers in the private and public sector, and now in the academic sector, allowed me to contribute where my strong mentoring skills and passion for student achievement and employee empowerment are valued.

Who influenced you the most? My father, an honest hard-working business owner, who taught me the importance of being an ethical person and a mentor.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Dr. Lee Heinz, who set high expectations and was a role model as a leader and instructor.

What are you currently reading? No Easy Day: The Autobiography of a Navy Seal by Mark Owen.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? The opportunity to meet people from all over the world and to help students identify their unique skills and learn how to make a difference.

What do your students say? "Well-prepared, positive approach, and answered my questions. His knowledge is impressive."

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2010

Also teaches at: The Janet Goeske Center, which is funded by RCC's Community Education/Young-at-Heart Program.

Noted for: Teaching yoga to older adults.

How did you get interested in your field? My first yoga teacher introduced me to Iyengar Yoga and I was fascinated by the use of modifications, props and sequencing which allowed students of all ages, shapes and physical conditions to participate.

Who influenced you the most? Observing fellow students and teachers reap the benefits of yoga and improve their health and quality of life really influenced me to become a yoga teacher.

Who was your most memorable teacher? I have had many wonderful, dedicated and inspiring Iyengar Yoga teachers, but Deb Murray, my first certified Iyengar Yoga teacher and mentor, holds a special place in my heart.

What are you currently reading? I regularly re-read books by BKS Iyengar, as I always seem to find something new in them. I recommend Light on Life by BKS Iyengar as a 'must read' for all yoga students.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? I am honored to be part of the first Iyengar Yoga program offered by the UC system. I feel that as a program graduate, I can connect with my students and share what I have been taught.

What do your students say? "Tammy is a great instructor who is very approachable, accommodating and caring. I can't wait to come back next quarter."

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2007

Also teaches at: Principal, LaVerne Heights Elementary School, Bonita Unified School District.

Achievements/awards: Nominee, San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor; Graduate with University, Academic, and National Honors, CSUSB.

Noted for: Closing the achievement gap at a Title I, Program Improvement School, raising our school over 130 API points, successfully exiting Program Improvement, and meeting all state and federal AYP targets for three consecutive years.

How did you get interested in your field? My high school English teacher recommended I tutor in our career center. Towards the end of in college, I began to work in the writing center, and my interest blossomed from there.

Who influenced you the most? My Uncle Raymond Bristol. He showed me how different and successful a person's life can be by being a college graduate.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My high school English teacher, Mrs. Elaine Sorrell. She was an inspiration to me and her mentoring and guidance helped me to reach my fullest potential.

What are you currently reading? Pyramid Response to Intervention by Austin Buffum, Mike Mattos, and Chris Weber.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? It provides me with the forum to share with others my passion for the field.

What do your students say? "Mr. McKee covers an incredible amount of material quickly, yet makes it understandable, interesting. Loved the class!"

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2005

Also teaches at: Math Coach, Mountain View Middle School, Moreno Valley.

Achievements/awards: Teacher of the Year Nominee, 2010. I finished my Master's degree in 2011, which sure felt like an achievement.

Noted for: Walking fast because I have 22 math teachers at my school & a lot to do every day. I also hope I'm noted for helping teachers try new things.

How did you get interested in your field? I was a 7th and 8th grade math teacher, but when I took a year off to attend to family, I started teaching for UCR Extension and discovered how much I love working with teachers.

Who influenced you the most? My own children. I know the kind of teachers I want them to have as they go through school, so I try to be that kind of teacher myself and help others to be great teachers. They also help me keep my balance in life, so I don't spend all my time working.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My student teaching supervisor was the first person who told me I was good at what I was doing.

What are you currently reading? Lord of the Rings.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? The energy I feel as teachers engage in lively conversations with each other about teaching, students, and math. I love being a part of that collaboration during classes.

What do your students say? They appreciate the wealth of teaching strategies they get from class and that they feel revitalized with some new ideas.

UCR Extension Instructor since:  First taught in 2002, but continually since 2009.

Also teaches at:  Riverside STEM Academy, Riverside Unified School District.

Achievements/awards:  Master's Degree in Science Education 2004. Recipient, REEF Grant 2010.

Noted for:  My commitment to significantly improve California's approach to elementary science education.

How did you get interested in your field?  I've always loved science since middle school, and took every high school and college science course offered. Science revealed to me the interconnectedness of everything in the universe, and I've been fascinated ever since.

Who influenced you the most?  Dr. Herb Brunkhorst and Dr. Bonnie Brunkhorst, CSUSB, inspired me to help other teachers become "Inquiry Science" educators.

Who was your most memorable teacher?  Mrs.Kay Papour, Garden City High School, Michigan. She was just one of those teachers who made her students feel smart, confident, and cared for.

What are you currently reading?  Finding your Way in a Wild New World by Martha Beck.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension?  Working with other adults. Being with kids is great, but it's very special to get to laugh and share and learn with other teachers. I learn just as much from them as they do from me.

What do your students say?  I always hear that they've enjoyed learning new science concepts, and love having new hands-on, inquiry-based lessons to take back to their classrooms.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2008

Noted for:  My work on various projects for the TESOL department, including and especially TEFL Training for Disney English, coupled with my enthusiasm and dedication for these projects! My positive attitude and how much I care about and enjoy my students.

How did you get interested in your field?  I love traveling and learning about other cultures, and I love learning other languages. I have taught in France, Thailand and Japan. I feel so lucky that I have a job where I can combine language and learning about other cultures.

Who influenced you the most?  My colleagues here at IEP have influenced me tremendously.  I feel the teachers here are amazing at what they do, and I find myself continually learning from them.

Who was your most memorable teacher?  My high school Latin teacher, Basil Neil Webb. He took a subject that was quite stuffy and made it fun to learn.

What are you currently reading?  Amy Tan's Saving Fish from Drowning.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension?  I get to work with wonderful people from around the world.

What do your students say?  "Karen's classes are always fun and interesting, and she works hard to make us successful English speakers and writers."

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2009

Also teaches at:  Claremont Graduate University.

Achievements/awards:  My most prized achievement is the feedback I get from my students, saying they enjoyed the process of learning.

How did you get interested in your field?  I practiced law for about 20 years and found that I enjoyed teaching a great deal more than law practice.

Who influenced you the most?  My parents. I had issues with them (who doesn't?), but their lives as medical missionaries in India, and spending my formative years in that country had a huge impact on me.

Who was your most memorable teacher?  Political science Professor Frank Tugwell, Pomona College, who was young, very smart, really knew his stuff and was committed to helping his students.

What are you currently reading?  Moral Origins: The Evolution of Virtue, Altruism, and Shame by Christopher Boehm.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension?  My interactions with the students. Most have some "real world" experience which provides for stimulating discussions, and they are there because they want to be, not because they have to be.

What do your students say?  "He was lively and the material was interesting. Thanks again for making the learning experience so enjoyable!"